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"Rudy couldn't bring himself to do that (support Pataki). I haven't heard him (or anyone else) provide a believable explanation or justification for his actions."
I've worked in NYS government under the 12-year Pataki administration, and believe me Rudy had legitimate reasons not to support him for Governor. Pataki tenure has since validated Rudy's concerns. Pataki was strictly for Pataki and over the years has decimated the Republican Party where today there are no state-wide office holders, the Assembly increased it's Democratic majority, and the Senate has now a swing of only 4 or 5 seats from going Democratic.

So are you saying that Rudy was psychic and knew that Pataki wasn't going to be good for New York?

12 years after the fact, you have the advantage of hindsight, and working within the state government, it is your judgment that Pataki has been a disaster for the New York Republican Party.

However Rudy had no way of knowing how the next 12 years would play out, and as an alleged Republican, he was obligated to support the nominee of the state party organization, which is the same argument RudyBots are using to try and browbeat conservative mainstream Republicans that they 'must' support Rudy because he is either a.) the only candidate who can beat Hillary (assuming she is the 'Rat nominee) or b.) if he is the nominee, he has to have all Republicans united behind him regardless of Rudy's left-of-center views.

Your description of the Pataki years does not surprise me, for he too is a RINO with liberal views within the Republican Party. However it is disingenuous to try and portray Rudy's refusal to support Pataki as being some kind of latter day manifestation of 'Mr. Republican' (the original being Robert Taft). Rudy is no such thing.

When the New York gubernatorial contest began between Mario Cuomo and George Pataki, the candidates started on more or less, a level playing field.

Rudy not only refused to support his team, he ratted them out and supported their opponent(s).

That sort of feckless behavior is NOT a quality you want in a President.

"......Rudy not only refused to support his team, he ratted them out and supported their opponent(s). That sort of feckless behavior is NOT a quality you want in a President."

It's apparent you don't understand NYC vs NYS politics. NYC has always been a democratic city, whereas Upstate NY has been predominately republican. To function properly NYC has to come to Albany every year and beg for money for mandated, but underfunded programs.

Gov. Mario Cuomo, for all his liberal views had been good to NYC. With Rudy's ambitious program to clean up and make NYC safe and self-sufficient, he had to rely on a known quantity. Pataki was an Upstater whose consistency was outside NYC. Rudy and most New Yorkers knew this. He backed the wrong candidate and lost. He didn't hide from it or try to explain it away. It was a mistake, he accepted the consequences and apologized to Pataki. END OF STORY.

You may characterize Rudy's action however you want. Raising NYC from the dead was his mandate and his mission. The rest is history. Call him psychic.....No. Call him instinctive and courageous.....YES.